Topic: Eris Variant

UMass Memorial and several school districts in Kentucky are reinstating mask mandates and canceling in-person classes due to a reported surge in COVID-19 cases. A new health advisory regarding the XBB variant claims it is more "lethal" and difficult to detect with standard nasal swabs. Critics argue this is a coordinated "script" designed to reintroduce mandates and promote the upcoming fall booster shots.

The World Health Organization has labeled the EG.5 "Eris" variant as a dominant Omicron subvariant, noting its increased transmissibility. Despite evidence suggesting masks are ineffective at stopping transmission, health experts continue to recommend them for high-risk individuals. Symptoms of the new strain include sore throat, fatigue, and loss of smell, progressing to respiratory difficulty in severe cases.

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb discusses the "Eris" (EG.5) variant on CNBC, noting its ability to escape prior immunity while remaining less pathogenic than previous strains. Gottlieb emphasizes the importance of wastewater data from BioBot Analytics due to the unreliability of home testing and state reporting. The hosts criticize Gottlieb's ties to Pfizer and the potential for wastewater surveillance to be used for social control.

Dr. Celine Gounder discusses the new "Eris" variant and the upcoming monovalent booster shots on CBS News. The messaging has shifted to state that vaccination is "up to you" for young, healthy individuals, though it is still recommended for the elderly and immunocompromised. The hosts characterize the segment as a commercial for pharmaceutical products, noting the "stay tuned" phrasing used by the doctor.